Piano Press

Traditional World Music Influences in Contemporary Solo Piano Literature

By Elizabeth C. Axford

(Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1997)

"Axford has gone where few researchers have ventured by accepting the huge task of identifying and analyzing published solo piano music from around the world without duplicating the more standard work (European and American for the most part) done vis-à-vis the solo piano repertoire. Axford's stated goal was to gather, organize into a logical international framework, and briefly annotate solo piano music from around the world...Each chapter begins with a fine scholarly overview, followed by the entries arranged geographically, then alphabetically by composer...This ambitious reference work has no real parallel. Rather it is the author's hope that future researchers will augment and expand upon her pioneering efforts. She has begun this process by gathering, organizing, and briefly describing numerous published piano solos. This is the first time such information of international scope has been collected under the confines of one easy-to-use reference work. Target audiences for this work include musical researchers, pianists, piano teachers, composers, and scholars. All libraries supporting general music programs or piano pedagogy should consider purchase of this valuable reference work." American Reference Books Annual

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"The range is considerable..." Piano & Keyboard

"The opening of each chapter describes the significant attributes of each ethnic style and cultural location in splendid detail. Academic music and large public libraries should consider purchasing." Choice

"My husband, E. L. Lancaster, and I recently purchased Traditional World Music Influences in Contemporary Solo Piano Literature. It has been fun to browse through this book. It contains much useful information. Congratulations on a monumental publication." Gayle Kowalchyk, Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.

"The information gathered on these pages is tremendous and contemporary...441 pages packed full of information. Ms. Axford really went through much planning and research to help the readers...This is a most important reference book that will help the teacher locate certain valuable material...It is fascinating going through this book and finding names of those who are still with us. A hidden value comes to mind for teachers giving recitals on various locations throughout the world. It is a great source for building recital programs." Albert DeVito, Keyboard Teacher

"Separate bibliographies for each world music region list examples of works that demonstrate some of the traditional musical influences associated with that region; background materials offer helpful overviews of each culture's music." Teaching Music (MENC)

Traditional World Music Influences in Contemporary Solo Piano Literature Workshop

Ms. Axford has prepared a workshop based on the material in Traditional World Music Influences in Contemporary Solo Piano Literature. She shows examples of traditional music and piano music from each world music region listed in the book, including scores, recordings, and a hand-out for each. The presentation also includes 20-minute videos for six of the regions listed, including the Middle East, Africa, India, Japan, Latin America, and Russia. The session concludes with a discussion and questions from the audience. For more information and to negotiate fees, e-mail pianopress@pianopress.com.